Splicing tape, splicing method and splice using the splicing tape

Abstract

A splicing tape (200) comprises a splicing portion (1,2) and an attachment portion (42,48), said attachment portion (42,48) being provided for releasably and self-supportively attaching said splicing tape (200) substantially across the width of a roll of sheet material. A first adhesive layer (2) is provided on a backing (1) extending from one longitudinal edge of the backing (1) across the tape to a first position towards the center of the backing (1), said first adhesive layer (2) being provided for attaching the leading edge of the roll to the splicing tape (200). A second adhesive layer (2) is provided on the backing (1) beginning at or beyond, but not overlapping the first position and extending towards the second longitudinal edge of the backing (1). The second adhesive layer is for attachment to a further sheet material. The attachment portion (42,48) includes a third adhesive layer adapted to release the leading edge and splicing portion (1,2) from the underlying sheet material leaving a non-tacky outer surface of the underlying sheet material. The splice can be completed by attaching a further sheet material to the splicing portion (1,2). The third adhesive layer may be provided by a weakly adhering or stretch release adhesive layer. The invention may be adapted to produce overlap, in particular staggered overlap splices. According to the invention, methods of making permanent or flying splices are provided.

We claim: 
     
       1. A splicing tape for splicing the leading edge of a roll of sheet material to a further sheet material, each winding of said sheet material on said roll having an outer surface facing radially outwards away from said roll; comprising: a splicing portion and a pre-formed attachment portion, said splicing portion including:   an elongate backing member having two faces and two longitudinal edges;   a first adhesive layer on said backing member for attachment of the leading edge of the roll substantially across the width of said roll to said backing member, said first adhesive layer extending across the width of said backing member from substantially the first longitudinal edge of said backing member to a first portion towards the centre thereof; and   a second adhesive layer on a first face of said backing member for attachment of said backing member to said further sheet material, said second adhesive layer beginning at or beyond, but not overlapping with said first position and extending across the width of said backing member to a second position towards the second longitudinal edge of said backing member;   wherein said pre-formed attachment portion is connected to and distributed along said splicing portion for releasable and self-supportive attachment of said splicing tape to the outer surface of the underlying winding of said roll substantially across the width of said roll, characterized by said pre-formed attachment portion including a third adhesive layer on said backing member for releasing at least said splicing portion from said underlying winding of said roll while leaving the outer surface of said underlying winding in a non-tacky condition.   
     
     
       2. Splicing tape according to claim 1, wherein said third adhesive layer includes a weakly adhering adhesive layer. 
     
     
       3. Splicing tape in accordance with claim 1, wherein said third adhesive layer includes a repositionable adhesive layer. 
     
     
       4. Splicing tape in accordance with claim 1, wherein said third adhesive layer includes a stretch release adhesive layer. 
     
     
       5. Splicing tape in accordance with claim 1, wherein said third adhesive layer includes an aggressive pressure sensitive adhesive layer. 
     
     
       6. Splicing tape in accordance with claim 1, wherein said third adhesive layer is applied on a section of said backing member adjacent to said second position and extends away therefrom towards the second longitudinal edge of said backing member. 
     
     
       7. Splicing tape in accordance with claim 6, wherein a mechanical weakness is provided longitudinally in said backing member between the second position and the start of the third adhesive layer. 
     
     
       8. Splicing tape in accordance with claim 1, wherein said third adhesive layer is applied to the second face of said backing member beginning substantially at said second longitudinal edge and extending across the width of said backing member towards the centre thereof. 
     
     
       9. Splicing tape in accordance with claim 1, wherein said splicing tape is repulpable. 
     
     
       10. A splice on the leading edge of a roll of sheet material for attachment to a further sheet material, each winding of said sheet material on said roll having an outer surface facing radially outwards from said roll, comprising: a splicing portion and a preformed attachment portion, said splicing portion comprising:   an elongate backing member having two faces and two longitudinal edges;   a first adhesive layer on said backing member attaching the leading edge of the roll of sheet material substantially across the width of said roll to said backing member, said first adhesive layer extending across the width of said backing member from substantially the first longitudinal edge of said backing member to a first position towards the centre thereof; and   a second adhesive layer on a first face of said backing member for attachment to said further sheet material, said second adhesive layer beginning at or beyond, but not overlapping with said first position and extending across the width of said backing member to a second position towards the second longitudinal edge of said backing member;   wherein said pre-formed attachment portion is connected to and distributed along said splicing portion and releasably and self-supportively attaching said splice to the outer surface of said underlying winding of said roll of sheet material substantially across the width of said roll, characterized by said pre-formed attachment portion including a third adhesive layer on said backing member for releasing at least said splicing portion from said underlying winding of said first roll while leaving the outer surface of said underlying winding in a non-tacky condition.   
     
     
       11. A splice according to claim 10, wherein said third adhesive layer includes a weakly adhering adhesive layer. 
     
     
       12. A splice in accordance with claim 10, wherein said third adhesive layer includes a repositionable adhesive layer. 
     
     
       13. A splice in accordance with claim 10, wherein said third adhesive layer includes a stretch release adhesive layer. 
     
     
       14. A splice in accordance with claim 10, wherein said third adhesive layer includes an aggressive pressure sensitive adhesive layer. 
     
     
       15. A splice in accordance with claim 10, wherein said third adhesive layer is applied on a section of said backing member adjacent to said second position and extends away therefrom towards the second longitudinal edge of said backing member. 
     
     
       16. A splice in accordance with claim 15, wherein a mechanical weakness is provided longitudinally in said backing member between the second position and the start of the third adhesive layer. 
     
     
       17. A splice in accordance with claim 10, wherein said third adhesive layer is applied to the second face of said backing member beginning substantially at said second longitudinal edge and extending across the width of said backing member towards the centre thereof. 
     
     
       18. A splice in accordance with claim 10, wherein said splice is repulpable. 
     
     
       19. A method of preparing a splice between the leading edge of a roll of sheet material and a further sheet material using a splicing tape, each winding of said sheet material on said roll having an outer surface facing radially outwards away from said roll, said splicing tape comprising: a splicing portion and a pre-formed attachment portion, said splicing portion comprising:   an elongate backing member having two faces and two longitudinal edges,   a first adhesive layer on said backing member, said first adhesive layer being provided for attaching the leading edge of said roll of sheet material substantially across the width of said roll to said splicing tape and extending across the width of said backing member from substantially the first longitudinal edge of the backing member to a first position towards the centre thereof; and   a second adhesive layer on a first face of said backing member and being covered by at least one release foil, said second adhesive layer being provided for attachment to said further sheet material, said second adhesive layer beginning at or beyond, but not overlapping said first position and extending across the width of said backing member to a second position towards the second longitudinal edge of said backing member;   wherein said pre-formed attachment portion is connected to and distributed along said splicing portion for self-supportively and releasably attaching said splicing tape to the outer surface of the underlying winding of said roll of sheet material substantially across the width of said roll, said attachment portion including a third adhesive layer on said backing member for releasing at least said splicing portion from the underlying winding of said roll while leaving the outer surface of the underlying winding in a non-tacky condition, said method comprising the steps of:   attaching said splicing tape to the outer surface of said underlying winding using said third adhesive layer on said backing member substantially across the width of said roll;   attaching said leading edge to said first adhesive layer, and   separating said attachment portion from said splicing portion attached to said leading edge while leaving the outer surface of said underlying winding in a non-tacky condition.   
     
     
       20. A method of making a splice between the leading edge of a roll of sheet material and a further sheet material using a splicing tape, each winding of said sheet material on said roll having an outer surface facing radially outwards away from said roll, said splicing tape comprising: a splicing portion and a pre-formed attachment portion, said splicing portion comprising:   an elongate backing member having two faces and two longitudinal edges;   a first adhesive layer on said backing member, said first adhesive layer being provided for attachment of the leading edges of the roll of sheet material substantially across the width of said roll to said splicing tape and extending across the width of said backing member from substantially the first longitudinal edge of the backing member to a first position towards the centre thereof; and   a second adhesive layer on a first face of said backing member and being covered by at lease one release foil, said second adhesive layer being provided for attachment of said backing member to the further sheet material, said second adhesive layer beginning at or beyond, but not overlapping said first position and extending across the width of said backing member to a second position towards the second longitudinal edge of said backing member;   wherein said pre-formed attachment portion is connected to and distributed along said splicing portion for self-supportively and releasably attaching said splicing tape to the outer surface of the underlying winding of said roll of sheet material substantially across the width of said roll; said attachment portion including a third adhesive layer on said backing member for releasing at least said splicing portion from the underlying winding of said roll while leaving the outer surface of the underlying winding in a non-tacky condition, said method comprising the steps of:   attaching said spliced tape to the outer surface of said underlying winding using said third adhesive layer on said backing substantially across the width of said roll,   attaching said leading edge to said first adhesive layer,   exposing said second adhesive layer,   attaching the further sheet material to the exposed second adhesive layer, and   releasing said leading edge and said splicing portion attached thereto from said underlying winding while leaving the outer surface of said underlying winding non-tacky.   
     
     
       21. A splicing tape for splicing the leading edge of a roll of sheet material to a further sheet material, each winding of said sheet material on said roll having an outer surface facing radially outwards away from said roll, comprising: a splicing portion and a pre-formed attachment portion, said splicing portion comprising:   an elongate backing member;   an adhesive layer on said backing member, a first part layer of said adhesive layer being provided for attachment of the leading edge of the roll of sheet material substantially across the width of said roll to said backing member and a second part layer of said adhesive layer being for attachment to said further sheet material;   wherein said pre-formed attachment portion is connected to and distributed along said splicing portion for releasable and self-supportive attachment of said splicing tape to the outer surface of the underlying winding of said roll of sheet material substantially across the width of said roll, characterized by said attachment portion being adapted for releasing at least said splicing portion from said underlying winding of said roll while leaving the outer surface of said underlying winding in a non-tacky condition and said attachment portion includes a stretch releasable adhesive layer.